I wound up with time this afternoon and with this excellent weather it was hard to pass up the opportunity to get out fishing for a couple of hours. The wind was a bit difficult to deal with, but side arm line drive casts eliminated having the lure land everywhere but where I aimed.

The water still is fascinating with it's clarity. Also daunting since I think this is shutting down some good fishing. But with this clarity I decided to walk the west shore in the water from the pipes to the outflow. There are a lot of tangles in the first 100 feet or so, which is why I usually don't do this. Being able to see where you're walking helps tremendously.

I chose to do this because that shore had been sitting in the sun for a few hours. At Saw Wee Kee the day before, this type of water produced a couple of fish that were sunning themselves in pretty shallow water. A couple of fish were doing the same along here. Did get to land the smaller one, and I did get to see the bigger one in the clear water before it disappeared from the end of my line. Depressing to say the least.

In all, a half dozen smallies were landed, three bigger heavier ones never saw the light of day. A few foul hooked carp livened up the fishing with bullet like runs up the river, drag singing before popping the hook. One little guy was unusually green.



After a long stretch of nothing I was at the end of the flats under an overhanging maple that has been protecting a deep spot for years. I almost didn't make it there because I kept debating on whether or not to just go home. The wind was getting to me out in the open water. Glad I made it to the tree. Two casts, two smallies directly under the over hang. A few feet further down stream and one was just hanging out in the lift of water. Pretty much out in the middle of nowhere.



I was going to go further, but the wind really whipped up and the surface of the river was starting to look like it was boiling. Enough was enough.

On the way back across the river, turned to see the sun light streaming through the trees of the island I had just walked across. It didn't look lit up like this while under the trees. Tried again to capture that shimmering luminous look of fall colors and low light angles.

Not sure it worked. The sky was definitely a sky blue sky.

Not sure if it is the sun or shadows but the coloring of the second smallie look awsome.

It was deep shadows on the right and reflected light on the left. Almost makes it look like a largemouth.

I like the stark light of this time of year. Long shadows, light srtreaks. Then it's winter. Ugh.

My friend Doc called this morning and wanted to meet about 1pm and head to the Batavia area...thanks to you Ken. Wind was whipping pretty good, water was Vodka...sweet Vodka. Tried topwater for just a while...water was really cold. Threw jig and twister in pearl and then pumpkin...nothing. Read somewhere else that an angler had caught some nice fish on a Rooster Tail and found one that I poached from my son in charteruse and a copper blade. Had fish immediately and was focusing in deeper runs. Ended up with six to the hand and maybe ten other hits. Lots of leaves to hit but leaves don't pull back.

Started just above the Poop Plant on the west side and down from the bridges. About half way down the shore, the first fish came in. Missed a few, then moved down the bank and found a few past the down tree. Finished at about 4pm. Great sunny day despite the wind. Fish were all about 10 feet off the bank, with a steady retrieve.

Beautiful pics and excellent report.

It's interesting to note the differences in the stretches of river...fished with tacklebox the 19th and I'd guess about 95% of the river we walked really wasn't clear at all..once we got to the southern most point of our trek though... it was gin clear.


Couple of dink smallies and an aggressive little pike that broke my last pin's minnow...definitely more my fault than his.

GD I agree that water was freezing cold...my toes were numb by the time we pulled out.

GD,

I think I may have seen you out there tossing a buzz bait. I stopped down to drop off my neos to a buddy and make a few casts. Only a pair of dinks between us also on inline spinners. I would have gladly spent the day pulling a few dinks opposed to heading back to the office. Lots of guys out by Batavia I counted six in the 45 minutes I was there.

Great report Ken. maybe not this year but I certainly will be visiting that stretch again.

GreatfulDad wrote:Read somewhere else that an angler had caught some nice fish on a Rooster Tail and found one that I poached from my son in charteruse and a copper blade. Had fish immediately and was focusing in deeper runs. Ended up with six to the hand and maybe ten other hits. Lots of leaves to hit but leaves don't pull back.

I've been so lazy while out on the water, I don't switch to other things even though I carry them around. I got your number, things have just been a little nuts. I'll call some time soon.

Funny thing about the water clarity. I noticed that below anything that resembles riffles it must be kicking up the bottom muck. Which makes sense. Off to the sides of them the water is clear. Just down stream from the riffles I think the colder water is making the muck settle faster, so it clears up again.

Well, that's my theory anyway.

I am interested in fishing this area on Thursday afternoon. Could you please provide directions for me. Is it off of 25 along the River? I usually do not fish Montgomery, but I am looking forward to this area. Thanks. Flyfisher

Flyfisher.
Go to Google maps and type in Montgomery Illinois. South of the main part of Montgomery and just south of Route 30 look for where Boulder Hill ends at Route 25. That's where the Marathon station is. Then follow these easy directions. I just put them up a few days ago.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=497

It will all make sense when you see it.

Just watch the weather forecast and how much rain we're going to get.